Uveitis

What are the different types of Uveitis?

Uveitis can affect different parts of the eye, and the type is classified based on which area is inflamed:

• Anterior Uveitis (front of the eye): This is the most common type, involving inflammation of the iris (iritis) or both the iris and ciliary body (iridocyclitis). It accounts for approximately three-quarters of all uveitis cases.
• Intermediate Uveitis: This type affects the area behind the ciliary body and includes the vitreous (the gel-like substance in the middle of the eye). It’s more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. Symptoms often include floaters and blurred vision.
• Posterior Uveitis (back of the eye): This more severe form involves inflammation of the choroid and retina and poses a higher risk to vision. Immediate medical attention is crucial, as it can be sight-threatening.

What causes Uveitis?

Uveitis may develop for several reasons, including:

• Infections such as tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, herpes viruses, or cytomegalovirus.
• Autoimmune conditions such as sarcoidosis, arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

In around half of all cases, no clear cause is identified yet early intervention remains crucial to protect vision.

What are the symptoms of Uveitis?

Symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of inflammation, but may include:

• Red or painful eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Glare or halos
• Floaters (dark spots or shapes moving in the vision)
• Occasionally, flashes of light or difficulty seeing at night

What is the treatment for Uveitis?

The treatment approach depends on the type and severity of uveitis:

• Anterior Uveitis is commonly treated with medicated eye drops to reduce inflammation. In certain cases, injections may be used for quicker relief.
• Posterior Uveitis typically requires oral steroids, often at higher doses, to control inflammation. If an infection is involved, antibiotics or antivirals may also be prescribed.
• For chronic management, doctors may prescribe steroid-sparing immune suppressant medications, like mycophenolate or methotrexate, available as tablets or biological injections. Steroid injections into the eye may also be considered.

With appropriate care and close monitoring, most individuals with uveitis can achieve good control of inflammation and preserve their vision and quality of life.

How Is Uveitis diagnosed?

Diagnosing uveitis involves a series of tests to determine the underlying cause and assess eye health:

• Blood tests to detect infections or autoimmune markers
• Imaging tests such as chest X-rays to identify related systemic conditions
• Investigations such as OCT retina scan and fluorescein angiogram may be used to detect any swelling or leakage in the retina.

In some cases, patients may be referred to other specialists, such as rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, or neurologists, to find a systemic cause for the inflammation.